A Rare Notion

Welcome to A Rare Notion, a retailer of unique and hard to find sewing supplies specialising in items for corset and lingerie making. Shop online or visit our store located on the gorgeous Balcony Level of Adelaide Arcade, South Australia.

You might have noticed that A Rare Notion has had a little (and long overdue…) facelift. I’m still working on some updates and new features so please drop me a line if you notice anything not working as it should!

TafeSA are offering a number of short courses related to fashion, dressmaking, lingerie and costume making between January and July 2009. Areas covered include corset making, pattern drafting, alterations, millinery and bra making, among others.

A Rare Notion is pleased to announce volume discount pricing – now available on most of our stock!

Discounts are processed automatically when you purchase in quantities greater than 5, 10, 25 or 50 and will immediately appear in your shopping basket. Price breaks are shown on our new, improved product information pages which now also include information on stock quantities.

We now stock a small range of Truly Victorian patterns. Printed on paper, not tissue, these patterns are based on historical garments, drawings and descriptions, drafted to fit the modern form. Designs are basic versions with details of trimmings left off which allows them to be easily adapted into one-of-kind creations. Most are multi-sized and contain all sizes in the one package. Full instructions are given with each pattern, however some prior sewing knowledge and experience is assumed.

Due to the quality of each pattern they are best suited for creating historically accurate clothing for re-enactments, but could also be adapted to other uses. The 1880s Late Victorian Corset, for example, is historically accurate, but has been adapted to suit modern bust cup sizes for ease of fitting and would be perfect for creating anything from period underwear to modern outerwear.

Any of the Truly Victorian branded patterns available on trulyvictorian.com can be ordered in. Lead time is approximately 2-3 weeks.

All Truly Victorian artwork displayed with patterns is the property of Truly Victorian.